December 9, 2015

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It has been my honor and privilege to humbly serve this membership, which I believe to be the best membership in the world, and your families as your President for the last 6 years here at UAW Local 1069.  During my time of service to this membership over the past 20 years, I have met and worked with many great union brothers and sisters in different situations.  The one constant throughout my entire time here has been the solidarity and commitment of our members to each other, to our products, and to our customers, the men and women of our Armed Forces who protect our way of life every day.

I have been offered an opportunity to join UAW Staff as a Region International Servicing Rep, serving UAW members in Region 9.  After much discussion with my family and self-reflection, I finally made the difficult decision to take the new position and will begin working for our Union after the New Year.  While I will be sad to no longer be working with you on a daily basis, I will still be in contact with the Local and your leadership.  I know I am leaving our Local in great hands in the person of Mike Tolassi, who will serve as your President, and our Bargaining Committee and Stewards who have so ably represented you during my time here.

I am a Boeing and Local 1069 lifer, having started here many years ago in the production fabrication shop, following my Mom and Dad as rank and file Boeing Helicopter employees.  I knew that when I came to work here, I would be expected to represent my family in the best way I could.  Now, here I am, 28+ years later, still working to represent my “family”, all of you, in the best way I could.  I am thankful that I had the opportunity to work together with so many of you to make our Local the best in the UAW.

As we move on to new things in life, we always look back wistfully on what we left behind.  Even though I am moving on, I will never leave this Local and its membership behind.  Thanks for your support for all of these years; it is all of our voices that has kept our plant open and working.  The commitment to excellence shown by this membership is our greatest achievement and ensures our future.  It has been my pleasure to serve you.  As always, STAND UNITED!

Yours In Solidarity,

Chris Owens, President

UAW Local 1069